As a professional baker, I was taught many years ago to level a cake using a clean kitchen towel.
Immediately after taking the cake from the oven and while it is still hot and in the cake pan, gently press down on the middle of the cake layer (while still in the pan) with the folded clean towel. It takes very little effort so don't press hard. This will even out the cake layers nicely and works every time. Additionally, there is no cake waste. Be careful not to burn your hands on the side of the pan as you are pushing, however!

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